Michigan, Just... No. - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

manofwar618 · 7th Nov 2011, 01:59 PM

So, I stumbled upon this article. I believe it is true. It wouldn't really surprise me much.
SodaHead - Michigan Senate Passes Bill To Protect Anti-Gay Bullies
It is a bill that would, if put in place, legally allow discrimination and harassment against LGBT Students by Students, Teachers, and Administrators due to "Religious Differences."
This honestly disgusts me. It's pathetic. I truly hope that this Bill is not turned into a law.

kiersten · 7th Nov 2011, 02:12 PM

If it does get passed, and the intent of the legisltion is indeed to to shield those who discriminate against another group of people in society because they are LGBT, they it won't be unchallenged for long. The way it sounds, it pretty much comes off as unconstitutional. LGBT groups, the ACLU & any constitutional lawyer worth his or her salt will be all over this travesty.

And for the record, even if it does pass, what are they thinking!?! Religious differences? Last time I checked, it was illegal to discriminate against someone because of religious differences as well. Whoever wrote this legislation obviously has no idea what the Constitution says in it...

**Chip** · 7th Nov 2011, 02:24 PM

I suspect this won't make it past a constitutional test, otherwise one could couch every form of hate speech as "religious differences." On the other hand, with some of the asshats currently on the Supremes, I suppose anything is possible.

Nazo · 7th Nov 2011, 02:24 PM

Despite frequently being a blue state, I have noticed that my state is regularly homophobic.

Yay, Michigan.

Chouchou · 7th Nov 2011, 02:44 PM

I heard of this a while ago. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, etc. have religious differences, but they can get along just fine, those differences notwithstanding. The use of religious differences and freedom of religion to justify bullying is dishonest and frankly pretty disturbing if you think about all the times in history when one group uses this argument to justify persecuting another group.

aidan · 7th Nov 2011, 02:47 PM

+ YouTube Video

this woman is brilliant

British Lad · 7th Nov 2011, 02:58 PM

what he sayed-->

+ YouTube Video

Doctor Faustus · 9th Nov 2011, 06:09 PM

Disgusted. Heartbroken on behalf of the LGBT community in Michigan.

This is what I find so frustrating about US law... the inconsistencies at the federal and state levels. Gays can get married in one state but not another. The death penalty for murder is mandatory in one state but not another. LGBT discrimination is legally permissible in one state and not others.

The hypocrisy beggars belief. Shame on the government of Michigan for bringing themselves into disrepute, for even suggesting such a toxic piece of legislation that holds back freedoms instead of advancing them. Shame on you.

FoxFire11 · 10th Nov 2011, 06:01 PM

Stephen Colbert said it best

“all-knowing, all-loving creator who made all things and hates some of them”

The Word - Bully Pulpit - The Colbert Report - 2011-09-11 - Video Clip | Comedy Central

**Mogget** · 10th Nov 2011, 09:13 PM

ProfMTH, who is a gay rights activist and a law professor (I think Constitutional law, but am not sure), disagrees that the bill is a license to bully. The first half of the video is on whether it violates the establishment clause of the first amendment. The second half, beginning around 3:20, argues that the bill does not permit bullying.

+ YouTube Video

7th Nov 2011, 01:59 PM	#1
manofwar618 Newbie Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Posts: 1 Join Date: Nov 2011	Michigan, Just... No. So, I stumbled upon this article. I believe it is true. It wouldn't really surprise me much. SodaHead - Michigan Senate Passes Bill To Protect Anti-Gay Bullies It is a bill that would, if put in place, legally allow discrimination and harassment against LGBT Students by Students, Teachers, and Administrators due to "Religious Differences." This honestly disgusts me. It's pathetic. I truly hope that this Bill is not turned into a law.

7th Nov 2011, 02:12 PM	#2
kiersten KierstenChromium, Mistress Of Metal Full Member Gender: Transgender - MtF Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Out to 127 people & my parents & 1 cousin so far Location: Sarnia, ON Posts: 1,331 Join Date: Jun 2011	Re: Michigan, Just... No. If it does get passed, and the intent of the legisltion is indeed to to shield those who discriminate against another group of people in society because they are LGBT, they it won't be unchallenged for long. The way it sounds, it pretty much comes off as unconstitutional. LGBT groups, the ACLU & any constitutional lawyer worth his or her salt will be all over this travesty. And for the record, even if it does pass, what are they thinking!?! Religious differences? Last time I checked, it was illegal to discriminate against someone because of religious differences as well. Whoever wrote this legislation obviously has no idea what the Constitution says in it... __________________ Penny: What's Sheldon's deal? Leonard: What do you mean "deal"? Penny : You know, like, what's his deal? Is it girls? Guys? Sock puppets? Leonard: Honestly, we've been operating under the assumption that he has no deal.

7th Nov 2011, 02:24 PM	#3
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,583 Join Date: May 2008	Re: Michigan, Just... No. I suspect this won't make it past a constitutional test, otherwise one could couch every form of hate speech as "religious differences." On the other hand, with some of the asshats currently on the Supremes, I suppose anything is possible.

7th Nov 2011, 02:24 PM	#4
Nazo Janis Ian's Lesbian Crush Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Facebook, not hiding at college Location: Michigan Age: 19 Posts: 2,071 Join Date: Dec 2010	Re: Michigan, Just... No. Despite frequently being a blue state, I have noticed that my state is regularly homophobic. Yay, Michigan. __________________ are you feeling like a prisoner are you living life the way you want giving time to ones you love are you giving time to who you are

7th Nov 2011, 02:44 PM	#5
Chouchou Warrior Goddess Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Homosexual (asexual?) and mostly homoromantic Out Status: To some friends, but not to family Location: Wisconsin, USA Age: 26 Posts: 1,109 Join Date: Oct 2011	Re: Michigan, Just... No. I heard of this a while ago. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, etc. have religious differences, but they can get along just fine, those differences notwithstanding. The use of religious differences and freedom of religion to justify bullying is dishonest and frankly pretty disturbing if you think about all the times in history when one group uses this argument to justify persecuting another group.

9th Nov 2011, 06:09 PM	#8
Doctor Faustus EC's resident Philosopher at Large Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Not straight. But only interested in men. xD Out Status: People who ask me. People whom I trust. Location: Basingstoke Posts: 1,610 Join Date: Oct 2011	Re: Michigan, Just... No. Disgusted. Heartbroken on behalf of the LGBT community in Michigan. This is what I find so frustrating about US law... the inconsistencies at the federal and state levels. Gays can get married in one state but not another. The death penalty for murder is mandatory in one state but not another. LGBT discrimination is legally permissible in one state and not others. The hypocrisy beggars belief. Shame on the government of Michigan for bringing themselves into disrepute, for even suggesting such a toxic piece of legislation that holds back freedoms instead of advancing them. Shame on you. __________________ "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." - Mother Teresa. Last edited by Doctor Faustus; 9th Nov 2011 at 06:12 PM..

10th Nov 2011, 06:01 PM	#9
FoxFire11 Here be Dragons! Full Member Gender: Physically Male. Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Location: Victoria, Australia Age: 19 Posts: 72 Join Date: Aug 2011	Re: Michigan, Just... No. Stephen Colbert said it best “all-knowing, all-loving creator who made all things and hates some of them” The Word - Bully Pulpit - The Colbert Report - 2011-09-11 - Video Clip \| Comedy Central __________________

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